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Home Insurance

Do you live in Las Vegas, NV and own an RV? A bit confused about how comprehensive coverage works and why you need it? Our wonderful team at Stevens Insurance has put together this guide to help you understand.

What Does Comprehensive Coverage Include on My RV Policy?

Comprehensive insurance coverage on an RV policy is nearly identical to that on a regular automobile policy. Fire, theft, vandalism, hail, wind, falling objects, and other weather are all examples of incidents that would be included under comprehensive coverage. Basically, anything not involving a collision falls under this section of your insurance policy.

(The only exception to this is hitting a deer or other animal, which is still deemed comprehensive and not collision.)

Why Should I Get Comprehensive Insurance Coverage?

When you’re traveling in an RV or motorhome across the country, you never know what will happen. Furthermore, if your RV is in storage here at home, it can still become damaged due to weather or vandalism. Thus, it is very important to protect your investment in your vehicle by having this type of coverage on your policy.

Is Comprehensive Coverage Required?

While comprehensive insurance coverage is not required by law, it might be non-negotiable if you are still making payments on your RV and you have a loan. However, it is still a very good idea to include it as part of your insurance policy to protect you in case of a disaster, as outlined above.

How Much of a Deductible Will My Comprehensive Insurance Coverage Have?

Just like with auto and home policies, deductibles are chosen by you when you start the policy. Work with your agent to select a level that best suits your financial abilities and needs.

In Las Vegas, NV, it is not uncommon for people to rent out their condos. As such, Stevens Insurance is often asked whether their condo insurance covers either short-term or long-term renters. Here is some information you need to know before you rent your condo out.

Short-Term Renters

If you are looking to rent your condo out for brief periods of time, such as a vacation rental, you will likely need a business insurance policy. However, as short term rentals are becoming more popular, many insurance companies are beginning to roll short term rental policies up into condo insurance or home insurance policies as requested. As such, you may be able to cover short term renters under your condo insurance policy if you have the right policy in place. You will need a specific type to cover short term renters and if you do not have this, these renters are not covered.

Long-Term Renters

Long term renters are not covered under your condo insurance. They will need to obtain renters insurance in order to be covered. Typically, any person staying 30 days or longer is considered to be a long term renter in your home. There may be exclusions to this, such as if you are renting to a family member or if you are having a friend stay in your residence while you travel out of the area for a month or longer. However, it is wise to talk to an insurance agent and see if you qualify for these exclusions instead of assuming you do. Most people will need renters insurance when staying or renting a condo for a long period of time.

If you are looking to obtain a new condo insurance policy in the greater Las Vegas, NV area, Stevens Insurance would love to help. Contact us today with any questions you have or to obtain a price quote.

Far too often, people in the Las Vegas, NV area think if they don’t own their home, they don’t need insurance. However, this concept puts people who rent at risk of losing out in the event of an incident such as theft or a storm occurs. At Stevens Insurance, we offer policies designed to accommodate the specific needs of renters.

1. It Covers Personal Property

Much of what you have invested into your home is probably your personal property. Fortunately, you can protect all of your property in the event something happens by having a renters insurance policy. Keep in mind, you can purchase additional coverage for your property that covers in the event of incidents that pertain to your needs such as flooding.

2. It Provides Liability Coverage

Don’t think just because you rent, you aren’t responsible for your actions. Renters coverage protects if somebody should get hurt while they’re in your home. It also protects if you should happen to hurt someone.

3. It May Cover You When You Travel

If you’re going on a vacation or a business trip, your renters insurance policy comes in handy. For instance, if your belongings are stolen while you’re traveling anywhere in the world, they’re covered.

4. It’s Sometimes Required

Your landlord may require you have renters insurance in the event something happens. This takes the burden off of the landlord, especially if an incident should happen to be your fault, and it protects the landlord from being responsible for your possessions.

If you don’t want stuck footing the entire bill to replace your damaged property or someone else’s, it’s a smart idea to have a policy to cover yourself even if you rent. Contact Stevens Insurance, serving Las Vegas, NV and the surrounding area, at 702-648-9689.

You’re finally going to do it. You’re renovating your home. You and your spouse have all of the plans ready. You’ll start in the kitchen, create a backsplash, install new cabinets, and you’ll finish with a fire pit in the backyard. You’re ready to start, but there’s one thing you didn’t consider: how will this affect your home insurance?

Home renovations may have the following impacts on your home insurance:

You may need to increase your homeowner policy limits. If your house went up in value it may now exceed the limits of your homeowner policy. This could leave you without the insurance coverage you need if your property is damaged or destroyed. Before you start your renovations, consult with the trusted, knowledgeable insurance specialists at Stevens Insurance in Las Vegas, NV.

You may be able to negotiate a lower rate if you replaced the roof. After you complete repairs and especially if you install a new roof, you need to contact your home insurance company. New roofs will provide better protection from mother nature and likely will extend the life of your home. Your insurance company will recognize this and may be willing to lower your rates after your project is complete.

You may need to increase the personal property limits. When you renovate, you likely will buy more than siding and roofing materials. If you purchase an expensive TV, pool table, or other valuables, make sure you increase your personal property limits, so they’re protected in the case of a disaster.

If you live in or around Las Vegas, NV, you need an insurance company you can trust. You need to contact Stevens Insurance. Give them a call today at (702) 648-9689 and see what they can do for you.

Have you ever had a tree fall on your property? Or a fire get out of hand? If you live in Las Vegas, NV and are a customer at Stevens Insurance, you might have called your agent to find out what you should do. To file a claim or repair it yourself, that is the question.

Evaluating the Level of Damage

Your first instinct—after photographing the damage in case you do end up filing a claim—should be to examine how much damage has occurred. Is your house severely damaged? Is your car incapacitated? If the answer is “no” to these questions, your next step is to look at how much it might cost to repair. Can you do the repair yourself? If yes, the level of damage is probably not catastrophic, and you can avoid cashing in on your homeowner’s insurance policy.

When to Repair It on Your Own

The important thing to consider when making this decision is the cost of the deductible and how much your monthly premiums will go up. For example, if a tree falls across a fence from the neighbor’s yard but does no further damage to your property, paying even a low deductible is not worth it because your premiums will simultaneously increase. The cost of a new fence is low compared to the cost of replacing an entire house. The premium increase is worth it, for example, when you’re avoiding $100,000 out of pocket to rebuild an entire home. A premium increase is not worth it when you’re only paying $3,000 to install a new fence.

If you live in Las Vegas, NV and have experienced damage to your property, call Stevens Insurance for an estimate on the repairs and premium increases. You will probably find that in the event of minor damage, making the repair yourself is more cost effective.

When it comes time to buy home insurance, most people tend to view it as a "One size fits all" proposition. The initial value is often set by the mortgage company, or perhaps recommended by the insurance agent, the homeowner told what the premium will be and they move on, never giving a lot of thought to the details of the policy. This is often not the best way to buy insurance, even if you’re buying from a reputable agent like Stevens Insurance in Las Vegas, NV. A home insurance policy is most effective when customized to the details of the home and the needs of the homeowner.

No two houses are alike, so no two home insurance policies should be alike. Obviously, a more valuable house, one that would cost more to replace, should be insured for more money. If the house is located in a flood plain or area prone to earthquakes, specific insurance may need to be purchased for those, as they’re often not covered in a standard policy.

A homeowner may possess a number of belongings that either aren’t covered or are not covered enough under a standard home insurance policy. Expensive jewelry, artwork or electronics are often worth far more than a basic insurance policy will allot for them. This means that unless a homeowner has the foresight to adjust the coverage amounts or add riders to the policy to cover these items, they will likely have to pay a lot out of pocket to replace them after an incident. Speaking of out of pocket costs, a homeowner can always adjust how much they will end up paying out of pocket on a claim by raising or lowering their deductible. If you need home insurance in Las Vegas, NV, Stevens Insurance can get you the right policy customized to fit your needs.

If you are on the market for a home insurance policy, make sure you take the time to review your policy with your insurance agent to ensure you are not missing out on hidden savings. Here are the top hidden credits for home insurance.

Gated Community

In the Las Vegas, NV area there are an abundance of gated communities and if you live in one, you may be able to reduce your premium. Insurers view gated communities as an extra level of security reducing the chances of a burglary. You can see a 5%-20% savings.

Recent Renovations

If you have recently renovated your home, you may be eligible for a credit. If your renovation included new wiring or a new electrical panel, the insurance company will view your home as safer. Renovations can save you up to 25%. Ask your agent at Stevens Insurance for tips if you are planning on renovating.

Retirement

Cutting costs during retirement is important, and the mature insurance credit might help. Insurance companies understand that when one is retired you are spending more time at home and if there is a burst pipe the loss will be mitigated immediately instead of when you get home from work. The retirement credit can save you between 10% to 25%.

Upgrade your Sensors

Of course, you should always have the standard fire alarm and security system. However, there are new products on the market that an insurer will give you additional credit for. You can purchase water sensors that attach to appliances that will shut off the water source if there is a leak. These sensors will get you an additional 5%-10% in savings.

If you are in the Las Vegas, NV area and would like to learn more about credits, reach out to Stevens Insurance.

In Las Vegas, NV, your roof is safe from some of the most damaging things that can destroy roofs in colder climates. You won’t be seeing any ice dams or problems caused by snow weight. However, a Vegas roof is still exposed to nature, and with this exposure, there is always a chance for unexpected damage as well as normal wear.

Get Regular Roof Inspections

The key to preventing full roof failure is catching problems before they get too big. Having professionals go up and look at the roof on a regular basis is the easiest and safest way to ensure that these emerging issues are found in time for them to be affordably repaired. Professional eyes can also spot problems that a layman would overlook. Because of these things, Stevens Insurance recommends that you make sure to have the pros examine your roof, especially after storms and other potentially-damaging events.

Have Broken or Missing Concrete Tiles Replaced Right Away

High winds, storms that knock tree branches into the roof, and other stresses can take a tile or two off of a roof that is otherwise fine. Don’t let the small area of damage fool you into ignoring this problem! The tiles are there to protect the waterproof under layer of the roof, and when even one is missing, it will expose that layer to challenges it wasn’t designed to meet.

If you don’t have a tile roof, you should pay even more attention to damaged areas. Asphalt shingles, for example, can start failing after just 10-15 years. Missing or damaged shingles will make the roof require replacement even sooner, so hurry to get damaged areas patched.

Getting unexpected damage repaired can be easier with the right home insurance. Contact us at Stevens Insurance to discuss which policies are best for protecting your Las Vegas, NV home.

As a property owner, you may feel the need to rent your property for a little extra cash. If you’ve decided to rent out a few of your homes or apartments, you’re going to need more than your standard homeowner’s insurance policy to cover your investments. You will need what’s known as landlord insurance.

What is Landlord Insurance?

Property damage – If there is a storm, fire, vandalism, theft, or damages left by a tenant, property damage insurance is helpful coverage. This usually covers the building itself and not the property inside.

Liability insurance – Liability covers injuries that occur on your property. Accidents can happen, and whether it is your tenant or a visitor, liability can protect you from legal and medical costs associated with the individual’s injuries.

Loss of income – If you maintain a loss of income coverage, you may be covered for monthly rent you’ve lost. This usually becomes relevant when the property is uninhabitable due to storms or fires. Other covered reason will be included in your policy.

Personal injury protection – PIP protects you against libel, slander, wrongful eviction, and invasion of privacy claims made against you.

Other Things to Think About

The property inside of the apartment or house that belong to you, such as the microwave, stove, refrigerator, and washer and dryer may not be covered under your normal policy. Contact your insurance agent to make sure those items are covered, so you can get an adequate replacement value if they are damaged or destroyed.

You may also want to encourage your tenants to get renters insurance. In Las Vegas, NV, landlords insurance does not cover their personal property. Contact Stevens Insurance for more information.

Your Nevada home is going to experience some cooler weather in the fall. If you don’t prepare your home sufficiently, you could run into an array of problems. The good news is, a few simple preparatory things can ensure you don’t have to worry about anything going wrong in the fall or at any other time during the year.

Schedule Maintenance

Some basic maintenance should be scheduled. You will want to have your HVAC system checked on by a professional technician, and also gas lines if you have a furnace. This way, as the cold weather starts to arrive, you can be confident that your heat is going to work.

Handle Some Cleaning

Cleaning is important inside and out. Your gutters should be cleaned because you are going to deal with more leaves falling. If there are lots, you could end up with corrosion or rust, costing you a significant amount of money in repairs. If you have a fireplace, it should be cleaned as well, eliminating a chimney fire.

Create a Checklist

A simple checklist to go through in your home can make a world of a difference. You will want to make sure you check all of the smoke detectors to see if there are working and replace the batteries. You should also clean out your oven to avoid any kind of fire, and also check for fire extinguishers in various rooms of the home.

By taking a little bit of time to prep your home, you can avoid various issues. Remember, you don’t have to do everything alone. You can always call professionals and help you with home maintenance, cleaning, and various other components.

Learn how to enjoy peace of mind in Las Vegas with the right homeowner’s policy. Contact Stevens Insurance today to speak with an experienced insurance agent.